The Israeli occupation authorities had decided to restrict the age of Palestinians permitted to accompany medical patients who are transferred to hospitals in West Bank and 1948 Occupied Palestine to 55 and over.

The new restrictions will result in many patients, especially children, having difficulties accessing treatment without the escort of their parents and other close relatives aged below 55.

The Director General of the Health Minister’s Office, Maher Shamiya, on Thursday slammed the Israeli decision, saying in a press statement that it comes as part of Israeli intents to crack down on Palestinian patients and their families.

Shamiya underlined that most of those transferred for treatment in the occupied territories are tumor-stricken patients.

“How can a person aged 55 or over assist such a critical category of medical patients?” He wondered.